Does your partner really love you? New ‘orange peel theory’ sends TikTok into meltdown – and people are now BREAKING UP over it

• The orange peel theory is where your partner steps in to do life’s little tasks 
• READ MORE: Beware of spotting ‘beige flags’: Dating expert on phenomenon 

Forget grand gestures, the real sign of true love is the little things – such as holding your bags, buying your groceries or calming your nerves.

And carrying out small acts of love that lighten your load now has a name – the orange peel theory.

The theory began with a TikTok that shows a conversation between two ex-partners from the US, reminiscing about the past. One said they miss how their former lover would peel an orange for them – a task they always make a mess of. 

It quickly caught fire the app, and others began to share their stories of people who show them love in subtle but significant ways. 

But the trend appears to have really hit home for some, with people admitting to breaking up with their partners because they aren’t being treated to these acts of love.

Stop making everything so deep in the comments – it’s literaly just a tiktok lol 😙 #orangepeeltheory

The trend quickly went viral on the app, and others began to share their stories of people who show them they love them in this way – and those who don’t

The video that started the trend shows a conversation over iMessage where someone, who is clearly still in love with their ex, messages them to tell them they got into New York University, at which point the pair begin to reminisce about filling out the application and watching films together.

‘I miss when you would peel my oranges for me in the morning,’ the original messager read.. ‘Did you learn how to do it yet?’ the ex asked. 

This sparked a painful conversation between the pair where the original messager admitted to still being in love with their ex. 

‘I miss when you would peel my oranges for me in the morning,’ the wrote.

‘Did you learn how to do it yet?’ the ex replied. 

‘No, I still get juice all over and stab my nails too deep,’ was the answer.

The ex hit back: ‘You’ll figure it out someday,’ and suggested they cease communication. 

The final slide shows the original messager texted their ex saying ‘I peeled my orange today’. But it was sent in a green text bubble – meaning they have been removed as an iMessage contact.

The sad exchange exploded on TikTok with heartbroken people relating to the conversation and others feeling thankful for having someone who ‘still peels their oranges’.

READ MORE: Beware of spotting ‘beige flags’: Dating expert explains the new TikTok phenomenon – and why it’s doing more harm than good to your love life 

One woman shared a montage of her and her husband, captioning it: ‘The orange peel theory reminded me that I am more than capable of holding my own bags, calming my anxiety, taking out my hair, opening my door, buying my own flowers, going shopping on my own. 

‘But I don’t have to because he’d rather do it for me. He loves loving me.’ 

While another said: ‘I told my man about the orange peel theory the other day, not thinking much of it. My phone was dying, I’m not well and I was too tired to get my charger.

‘I said I felt bad for asking him to get it for me and he just turned and looked at me and said “orange peel” and went and got it without hesitation. I melted. People, learn about the orange peel theory.’

But not everyone related to this in a positive way and many began testing the theory to see whether their partner responded by doing the small task without a word or answering with the likes of: ‘Can’t you do that yourself?’.

This was the case for one person who wrote: ‘I asked someone very dear to my heart to peel my orange for me and he did but with a heavy sigh and rolled eyes. 

‘So now I just peel my own oranges in silence to not bother anyone.’

And that disappointment of not having someone to peel their oranges was so strong for one 22-year-old woman on Reddit that she actually broke up with her boyfriend. 

The final slide on the video which started the trend shows the original messager text their ex saying ‘I peeled my orange today’, but it is sent in a green text bubble – meaning they have been removed as an iMessage contact

One person shared a montage of her and her husband , captioning it: ‘The orange peel theory reminded me that I am more than capable of holding my own bags, calming my anxiety, taking out my hair, opening my door, buying my own flowers, going shopping on my own. ‘But I don’t have to because he’d rather do it for me. He loves loving me’

While another said : ‘I told my man about the orange peel theory the other day, not thinking much of it. My phone was dying, I’m not well and I was too tired to get my charger. ‘I said I felt bad for asking him to get it for me and he just turned and looked at me and said ‘orange peel’ and went and got it without hesitation. I melted.

‘My boyfriend of 7 months was sitting in the couch when I saw the TikTok video explaining the theory, and I decided I should try it out,’ she said. ‘Up to this point we were happy but now looking back on it I am not surprised by how he responded.’

She explained she asked her boyfriend to tie her hair up, and he questioned why she couldn’t do it herself. Later that day she asked if he could throw a towel in the dryer for her so it was warm when she came out of the shower. He didn’t do it.

She concluded: ‘Our relationship is not going to end because of my towel not being warm or my hair not being up, but because I realize that I am just settling for a lazy man who doesn’t take me out, doesn’t help out with his baby and has no motivations in life except to live at his parents’ house, play video games and drink. All while taking advantage of what I do for him. 

‘In my mind, since we are so new [seven months] these problems are foreshadowing what’s to come and I see no future with him or his baby.’

Responding to backlash over considering ending a relationship based off a TikTok, the woman went on to say: ‘I didn’t mean to make it seem like I was testing him like a crazy girlfriend who sets her boyfriend up for failure.

‘I simply used the theory to see what he would do out of curiosity and came to the realization that I was giving 90 per cent while he was giving 30 per cent into the relationship. The theory helped me take off my rose color tinted glasses and truly see just how much I am doing without an ounce of appreciation.’

‘If my partner asked me to tie his shoes I would be down on one knee, because I feel like it is a simple way to show love,’ she added.

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